It takes a village...

This past week has been extremely overwhelming and stressful; I haven't taken the time I usually do to pray or go to mass. I stumbled across this quote the other week and decided to look deeper into it. After reading it more thoroughly, I realized that when I do pray, I feel better because I start to think of others and what they are going through rather than my own troubles. When I look at other people's lives and struggles, it brings me back down to earth. The line "...but now I know prayer changes us and we change people" really hit me hard. Since becoming more involved in my faith, I feel like a different - better - person and because of that I have been able to see wrong things in the world and attempt to do something about it. 

Gandhi said, "Be the change that you wish to see in the world," and I believe that in order to change anything in this world, you must rise up and make the change. For me, I don't always have the strength make things happen on my own; I need God. It's so important to realize that whether you believe in my God, another god, or no god, you cannot do it alone. Everyone needs a support system and if we all come together, we can end the evils of the world. 

I grew up extremely lucky in a loving family and nurturing environment; however, not everyone is as lucky. I have been fortunate enough to attend Catholic school my entire life and of to a four year college based on Jesuit values. Being able to study at LUC has opened my mind to so many other cultures and worlds. So many of my friends have come form all over the country and have each taught me something about their values and beliefs. Attending Loyola has helped me to grow as a person and understand myself in a deeper way. 

Jamaican Me Crazy

          So... It's been a few days since I returned from my five and a half week mission trip in Kingston, Jamaica. It was both life changing and exciting as well as difficult to comprehend. Even now, writing this I'm not sure what to make of it. There were ups and downs, highs and lows; the people we met were unbelievably humble and thankful and beautiful. Even if we just sat and spoke with them, they showed a gratitude that I only wish I could exemplify. It was an unbelievable journey and I'm still in disbelief that I did it.

In St. Thomas Parish, Jamaica we visited a fresh water fountain where some people shower and wash their clothes. 

While in Kingston, we worked at the Immaculate Conception High School & Prep School. In the beginning I struggled with the fact that we were working at the #1 school in all of Jamaica and felt that our help could have been utilized elsewhere. Later on in the trip though, I slowly became connected to each of the girls with which I worked. Being with the kindergarteners helped me realize how much I want to be a mother and have a big family. I was able to see so many different backgrounds and cultures within one setting for which I am forever grateful.

Lunch at Immaculate consisted mainly of singing and dancing rather than eating. 

          Each Wednesday, we volunteered for Missionaries of the Poor at the Bethlehem home and worked with children who are mentally and physically disabled. The first day was extremely difficult and overwhelming - we were automatically thrown into feeding and changing children without any instruction. By the second and third times though, we fell right into things with smiles and excitement for the next visit to come. The final visit was almost breathtaking - the boys were high-energy and bouncing off of the walls (some of them... literally). It felt as if I belonged there right in that moment with the boys at Bethlehem and it increased my passion for working with children.

Bob and Jeremy are "frenemies" at the Bethlehem home. Wherever they are, they bring energy... and trouble. 

          Every Saturday and the last four days of the trip, we worked at Jamaica National Children's Home (JNCH). The first two times I worked in Jamaica at JNCH, I never made a connection with any of the kids. Thankfully, during this visit,  I connected with so many of the children there. Anthony, Lisa, Sanjay, Harmony, Roxanne, Jodi, and so many others touched my heart in a way unlike anyone else. The smiles on their faces each time we walked in were enough to let me know that we were helping them just as much as they were helping us. These children have gone through more in a few years than a lot of people have/will in a lifetime and even still, they are constantly smiling and holding onto hope of a better future.

(Unfortunately, photos are not allowed to be posted due to security purposes for the children at JNCH)

          At the beginning of our third week in Jamaica, the Wortley Home for Girls - a nearby orphanage - burned down leaving 19 girls and 2 house mothers without a home. The Immaculate Conception Hostel opened its doors to all of them. Thankfully, it was during our week off and we were able to work with them all day everyday. We drew with them, made bracelets, and took them swimming. Many of the girls were unable to swim and being able to teach them how to do so was an amazing accomplishment for us and the girls. The hardest part about spending time with them was when they called us "mommy". It was overwhelming to realize that the love we gave to them that week and the following was more than some of them had received in a very long time, if ever. I am so thankful to have met these girls; they have all changed my views on many things in life. I now appreciate my family more than I ever have and I am extremely thankful for my education - some of the girls do not attend school and if they do, it is not a very good one. Being available to them for those two weeks was the most unexpected yet treasured moment of our trip. We truly were in the right place at the right time.

          Throughout this journey, I was able to get closer to my faith than I ever have before. At the hostel we stayed in, there was a small chapel available for daily mass which we attended almost everyday. Even though it was a struggle to get up for the 6:45 a.m. masses 3 days a week, we did. I was able to become confident in who I am as a person, all flaws included. I realized what I deserve and what I don't; relationships I need and those from which I need to distance myself. I can finally understand that God's love is truly infinite and as vast as the ocean. A good friend of mine once said, "That's a shit ton of love". It's so true. I constantly battled with the fact that I wasn't enough or even lovable. I know God's always there for me no matter how far I stray, as long as I am present and ready. I hope each of you have the chance to find yourself and your faith like I have been blessed and able to do.

Up in the Blue Mountains, we purchase some (cheap) freshly picked coffee from a farmer himself. 

          During the one weekend we had off from work, we were fortunate enough to visit Port Antonio, Jamaica with a few priest friends of ours. It was an unbelievable weekend that I will always remember. The sky was blue, the sea was clear, and the company was wonderful. The relationships we made that weekend will last a lifetime and I am anxiously anticipating my next visit to Jamaica - especially Blue Lagoon!! It was great to spend a weekend on the beach relaxing and I am forever thankful for that tiny vacation.

We were lucky enough to meet Father Sam who introduced us to an entirely different culture of Jamaica. 

          Jamaicans are truly one of a kind people and I am thankful to forever call Kingston my home away from home. Although it was difficult to get used to the "island time" and thinking I was late when in reality I was early, the life I lived there was so easy-going, relaxed, and (mostly) stress-free. As cliché as it sounds, in the U.S., people are constantly running to what's next and no one ever truly lives in the moment. Jamaicans truly encompass what it means to live happily and patiently; no one is racing to be better than another - they are working together. Everything has become so competitive in this world and for once, it was astonishing to live in  place so dedicated to helping each other out. I hope one day, we can all live together rather than against each other.

XO

When summer's almost here and you just can't...

It's mid-April, the temperature is rising, and so is the temptation to ditch the books and bask in the sunshine you almost forgot existed. I tend to hit a wall this time of year and I struggle to push myself to the finish line of the spring semester. In class, I daydream of everything else I could be doing outside instead of learning how to calculate logarithms. I've decided to get myself out of this funk and kick it into high gear to finish this semester strong. Here are some of my tips for when you literally, just can't even...

1. Take Five:
In this day and age, we all get so immersed into what we have to do now, what we should have done before, and what we will have to do later. Before trying to get out of my rut, I take five minutes to myself with no technology, in a quiet place, and maybe a journal. At school, I like to sit at the lake and just breathe slowly and think of how I am feeling in that exact moment. Most of the time, I realize that I am doing far better than I think I am and realize I have so much to be thankful for. Taking a step back and looking at all of my accomplishments in life and school truly helps me become motivated to get things done and snap out of a funk.

2. Make a 'To-Do' List:
As cheesy as it sounds, making a 'To-Do' list takes my stress away. I often get overwhelmed by constantly thinking of every single thing that I have to do, eventually making everything worse! Most of the time when you write it all in a list, it helps to make you realize you can spread things out and/or maybe you don't have as much to do as you initially thought. Making a schedule and figuring out what and when to do things can be a genuine stress reliever.

3. Sleep Sleep Sleep:
When I am in a slump, especially near the end of school, I tend to stay up late doing useless things and then sleep in late, wasting away my day. Every time I realize I have to get back to a productive lifestyle, I plan to go to sleep early and wake up early. Although going to bed early may not always be realistic to do in college or life with the amount of work we are given, waking up at a decent hour almost guarantees that you will feel more productive/accomplished when you have more time to do things early on in the day. Most of the time, I am so beat by the end of the day that I end up falling asleep early without a problem.

4. Ditch the Junk Food:
Although I am probably the worst offender of not following this advice, ridding your diet of junk food is key to feeling better. When I ditch the crummy foods and opt for the healthier ones, I feel more energetic and motivated to do things. I'm a total stress-eater, so I get that this can be  ridiculously hard for those like me. But instead of chomping down on those chips, keep your hands busy with some almonds or other nuts and fruits while studying.

5. Let it out:
Sometimes the best thing you can do when you feel at your lowest is to let it all out. Relieve yourself of the tons of bricks you've been holding over your shoulders and cry. Crying has always been a sign of weakness to me and I prefer that people don't see me when I do so; however, when I do let it happen, I feel much better. It's completely okay to have a bad day and to want to just be sad and cry, but don't allow the sadness to overtake you! Cry about it, think about it, and then be done. From personal experience, I know that being in a "funk" can last far longer than just a few days or weeks, but releasing the stress has always been a way for me to improve on my mental health.

Wednesday Wisdom

It's HUUUUUUUMP DAAAAAAY!

It's already halfway through the week and I hope it's been treating you well! With the cold weather putting me into a classic winter funk, I figured I would get some inspirational quotes from some of my friends to get me back into the swing of things. Without further adieu, here is some wisdom from the wisest of them all!

1. My Quote of the Week:

"It's not the load that breaks you down; it's the way you carry it."

~ C. S. Lewis

As a naturally stressed out person, I tend to get overwhelmed with the chaos of life. Sometimes I make up problems in my head or deal with them in the wrong ways. I love this quote because it reminds me that everyone has problems and sometimes we let the weight of our issues bring us down rather than taking a breath and figuring out the best way to deal with them. Often times I let my issues and stressors consume my entire mind and I end up  more stressed than I should be. Knowing yourself and how to handle different road blocks can allow you to cope with things better in the future. I need to work on that more than I care to admit, but this quote reminds of that every single time I come across it. 

2. Vicky Wilson's Favorite Quote:

"We must free ourselves of the hope that the sea will ever rest. We must learn to sail in high winds."

~Aristotle Onassis

 "This is my favorite quote because I have the tendency to see the negatives in my life more than the positives and it is a gentle reminder for me to turn those negatives into lessons to better myself as a person. I've always enjoyed being on the water which is one the reason this quote stood out to me so much." (Vicky Wilson)

3. Mariana Chavez's Favorite Quote:

"Give yourself to the Lord; trust in him, and he will help you; he will make your righteousness shine like the noonday sun."

~Psalm 37: 5-6

"For many the thought of “changing the world” seems impossible and quite frankly very unattainable, yet for me, since a very young age, the thought of “changing the world” has been the challenge I have willingly decided to take on. Being a servant leader has really given me the courage to continue to believe that someone like me could attain something so big like that. This bible verse keeps me motivated and passionate about changing the world for the better because I trust that God is a constant presence in my life helping me to shine his light and do the “impossible” and change this world." (Mariana Chavez)

I hope these quotes inspire you to think differently or expand your mind throughout the week. Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday and week!
XO

I am so happy that I amma...

KAPPA KAPPA GAMMA!!

 On January 25, 2015, I received a bid from the Eta Lambda chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. I had never been so nervous and excited for something in my entire life. At the beginning of Recruitment, I found myself confused as to whether or not I truly wanted to go through with the whole greek-like thing. I had heard so many positives, but also a fair share of negatives. I decided to just give it a shot and went through recruitment; little did I know that I would be finding the place and people that I could finally call "home". No matter the cheesiness, it's true: I have found a home in Kappa in just a few short weeks.  

 The girls I have met are some of the best people I have ever come across and I already feel so unbelievably accepted. Knowing that I will be a Kappa for the rest of my life, I get chills thinking about what the future holds. Forget about the cold feet I may have had a few weeks ago, because I have never been so sure of anything up until this exact moment. Kappa Kappa Gamma will be a place that I call home for as long as I live and then on.

 Some of you may not get it, but that's totally fine. How could you? I know there will be ups and downs throughout the next few years, but I also know that I will have Kappa to fall back on whenever I am having trouble or even when I am having the time of my life. 

I hope all of you are enjoying the fresh start of the New Year! Let's make 2015 one to remember!

XO

Aaaand That's a Wrap, Folks!

Well, I did it! I made it through my first semester of college along with some of my very best friends. I am so unbelievably pleased with my decision to attend Loyola University Chicago. I have met some of the most amazing people in my life after only a few months. The amount of love that I feel here on a daily basis is so encouraging and I am so thankful for the friends I have made in this amazing city. I came to Loyola not knowing a single soul and came out of my first semester with some of the closest friends I have ever made.

I am immensely proud of myself for making it this far and being so successful. I have learned that I have to go out of my comfort zone in order meet the best people out there for me. Being able to finish with a GPA higher than my original goal was probably the biggest feeling of accomplishment I have experienced in an extremely long time!

I want to give a big thank you to my parents for supporting me and pushing me along this entire semester to do the best I can academically and to be the best person possible.

I am also so thankful for my Aunt Lynn and Uncle Chuck; without either of them, my college experience would not be possible.

Thank you to all of my friends who have stuck by me through the meltdowns, stress-caused freak outs, and the occasional "bitch fit". You've made this experience so unbelievable and I am so happy that I can call you my best friends!!

I have laughed harder and cried harder than I ever have in my entire life this semester and I would never change a single moment even if I could. Hoping the rest of you have a wonderful holiday season. I'll see you next year! 

XO 

Wednesday Wisdom

One more week of classes and it's time for some turkey!! While taking a break from my studies, I wanted to share my weekly Wednesday Wisdom with you all. I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your week! Use those day dreams of Thanksgiving Dinner to get you through the rest of these frigid days at school or work.

Quote of the Week:

I came across this excerpt from one of Maya Angelou's famous quotes this past weekend and have not been able to stop thinking about it! To me, it makes so much sense and holds some great advice. As humans, we tend to let our struggles overwhelm us and in turn, we take our anger or frustration out on those around us. I know I for one have a hard time just taking a deep breath and stopping myself from copping an attitude towards my friends and family when I am in a bad mood. However, this quote helps to remind me that I mustn't become a frustration for other people simply because I myself am frustrated. So from now on, I am committing to attempt to acknowledge why I am frustrated and to remind myself that I should not exert those feelings onto those that do not deserve it.

2. Cathy Caputo's Favorite Quote:

"These two short lines from Gregory Alan Isakov’s song “San Francisco” have always stood out to me. When I listen to these lyrics I remember to live in the moment. It is so easy, yet so silly, to let schoolwork and other stresses control my thoughts and emotions when these things are really so much less important than they seem. This quote reminds me that life is not constricted by time. Rather, life is composed of beautiful moments that should be appreciated regardless of what the clock displays." (Cathy Caputo)

3. Dominic Belcaster's Favorite Quote:

"Sposarmi con la notte." (Marry the night.)

"This quote means more to me than anyone can expect, hence why I ended up getting a tattoo with the quote. It’s about taking all the pain, negativity, and darkness of your life and falling in love with it. Marrying the past and using it for the future. It’s also a title of a song that has pushed me through some of the most difficult times I’ve ever been faced with."

(Dominic Belcaster)

I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your week! Keep on working hard and pushing through the next week. The harder you work now, the more you will appreciate the break! XO